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IC 8812 



Bureau of Mines Information Circular/1980 

C-33U 

in 









Bureau of Mines 

Health and Safety Research 

A Status Report Covering 
Nov. 1, 1978 - May 31, 1979 

By Staff, Bureau of Mines 




a UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 



-■: 



Information Circular 8812 



Bureau of Mines 

Health and Safety Research 

A Status Report Covering 
Nov. 1, 1978 - May 31, 1979 

By Staff, Bureau of Mines 




UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Cecil D. Andrus, Secretary 

BUREAU OF MINES 

Lindsay D. Norman, Acting Director 






This publication has been cataloged as follows: 



United States. Division of Mining Research— Health and 

Safety. 

Bureau of Mines health and safety research, a status report 
covering Nov. 1, 1978 - May 31, 1979. 

(Information circular - Bureau of Mines) 
Bibliography: p. 
Supt. of Docs, no.: I 28.27: 

1. Mine safety— United States. 2. Mine sanitation— United States. I. 
Title. II. Series; United States. Bureau of Mines. Information circular. 



TN295.U4 



622'.8'072073 



79-607785 



CONTENTS 

Page 

Abstract 1 

Introduction 1 

Health 2 

Respirable dust 2 

Rapid X-ray device for silica analysis (contract HO387002) . . . . 2 
Study of the measurement and control of respirable dust in 

mines (contract JO199002) 3 

Determination of the accuracy and reliability of coal mine 

dust measurements (contract J0177013) 4 

Shearer -mounted dust collector (contract J0387222) 5 

Radiation hazards 6 

Dosimeter test program in active uranium mines 

(contract HO282031) 6 

Noise control 7 

Development of six prototype production stoper drills 

(contract J0177125) 7 

Investigation of direct airborne noise generated during coal 

cutting (contract J0177060) 8 

Installation and evaluation of crusher noise control 

(contract H0387016) 9 

Demonstrating the noise control of a coal preparation plant 

(contract H0155155) 10 

Industrial hygiene 11 

Design, develop, and fabricate N0 2 and N0 X field sampling kits 

(contract H0387019) 11 

Development of guidelines for the performance evaluation of 

gas-detection devices (contract J0387211) 12 

Coal mine combustion products, identification and analysis 

(contract H0133004) 13 

Monitoring of mine air pollutants (contract G0166027) 14 

Ventilation 15 

Optimizing diffuser fan flow and location in coal mine working 

face areas (contract HO230023 ) 15 

Assessment of effectiveness of Janelid ventilation system with 

tracer gas (contract JO395016) 16 

Assessment of induction fan effectiveness (contract J0387223). 17 

Safety 18 

Fire and explosion prevention 18 

Quenching behavior of coal dust-air mixtures (contract J0166076) 18 

Gallery test related to mine timber fires (contract HO252085). 19 
Combined fire/rot retardant treatment for wood mine timber 

(contract JO166068) 20 

Improved fire safety of coal mine hydraulic systems 

(contract HO357108) 21 

Methane control 22 

Cableless electronic surveying system for drilling horizontal 

holes (contract HO177069) 22 



ii 

CONTENTS— Continued 



Page 



Ground control 23 

Inorganic grouts for coal mine roof bolts 23 

Development of mobile, high-rise work platform providing tem- 
porary roof support for high-roof areas in coal mines 

(contract H0252074) 24 

Output-torque indicator for bolting machine (contract HO262007) 25 

Retreat mining support system (contract H0262015) 26 

Temporary face-support system (contract H0262058) 27 

Development of lightweight hydraulic supports 

(contract HO282042) 28 

Pillar des tress ing in advance of mining 29 

Improving surface coal refuse disposal site inspections 

(contract JO188027) 30 

Electrokinetic consolidation of coal sludge 31 

Develop safety practices for electrokinetic treatment of mine 

waste (contract HO272005) 32 

Industrial hazards 33 

Design of new railroad truck assemblies for underground coal 

mine cars (contract J0188085) 33 

Advancement of cab and canopy design and use in coal mines 

(contract JO199005 ) 34 

Improved visibility system for large-haulage vehicles 

(contract H0262022) 35 

Innovative design of explosion-proof electrical enclosures 

(contract HO357107) 36 

Demonstration and extension of existing canopy technology to 

lower coal seams (contract H0188014) 37 

In-mine long-term testing of improved truck ladders 

(contract JO295017 ) 38 

Factory integration of illumination systems into mining 

machinery (contract JO166095) 39 

Haul-road berm, guardrail, and sign design study and 

demonstration (contract H0282028) 40 

Appendix. --Acronyms and abbreviations 41 



BUREAU OF MINES HEALTH AND SAFETY RESEARCH 

A Status Report Covering Nov. 1, 1978 - May 31, 1979 

by 

Staff, Bureau of Mines 



ABSTRACT 

This status report contains 39 individual reports on health and safety 
research projects now being conducted or recently completed by the Bureau of 
Mines. The Reports on health research cover industrial hygiene, respirable 
dust, ventilation, noise control, and radiation hazards. The safety research 
reports cover industrial hazards, ground control, fire and explosion preven- 
tion, and methane control. Each report includes background information, 
a discussion of research progress, and an assessment of each project's current 
status . 

INTRODUCTION 

One objective of the Bureau of Mines health and safety research program 
is to provide solutions to mining problems defined by the Mine Safety and 
Health Administration (MSHA) of the U.S. Department of Labor. Generally, the 
impact of these problems is immediate, and they can be solved in a short 
period of time. Projects directed toward solving these problems are of con- 
tinued interest not only to MSHA, but also to industry and other governmental 
agencies . 

This status report covers projects jointly selected by the Bureau and 
MSHA in eight areas of the Bureau's health and safety research. The report 
presents a brief overview of contract and in-house projects scheduled for 
near-term completion that have an impact both on MSHA activity and the mining 
community. 



S&rtuA P.zpoit 
Hinz HzaZtk and Sa^zty RzAzaAch 
601 tkz 
PzAA.od Ending May 31, 1979 



ConVuLtt Wo: HO387002 

ConViactoK: University of Denver 
Denver, Colo. 



liXLz- Rapid X-Ray Device for Silica Analysis 



PKoqnnm : MNMH & S 

Pate StaAtzd : July 1978 

TPO (BOM): H. Lang (PRC) 



RteZOAch khJUX '- Respirable dust 

Schzdulzd Complexion ; August 1980 
RRC ChcuAman (MSHA): T. Tomb (ptsc) 



PfWjZCt Objective - To develop a computer-integrated X-ray diffraction device 
for analysis of free silica polymorphs. 

Po.iii.bZz Impact On MSHA: This instrument could be used by MSHA for more rapid 
and accurate analysis of quartz and other silica polymorphs in respirable dust 
samples . 
Re.taX.zd PlOj'zctA : None . 

BacfegA-OUHQ i MSHA needs improved instruments and techniques for silica analysis 
because of proposals to decrease the silica dust standards. The instrument 
being developed under this contract will use a unique solid-state X-ray detec- 
tion system, capable of simultaneously determining the position and intensity 
of diffracted X-ray beams . This system should improve both the accuracy and 
speed of X-ray analysis of respirable dust samples for quartz. 



PlogA£A& and Statu* : Activities to date have included determination of the 
most suitable X-ray geometry for the detection of small amounts of silica, 
experimentation with sample transfer and concentration methods for the X-ray 
camera sample holder, and preparation for coupling the fiber optics into the 
X-ray camera system. Study of various X-ray geometries showed the transmission 
mode more sensitive for silica detection than back reflection. Tests with 
polyvinyl chloride filters indicate dust collection filters could be used for 
X-ray measurement of silica, although some treatment of the filter may be 
needed. A feasibility demonstration is scheduled for July 1979. Progress has 
been satisfactory and funding of the second phase of the instrument's fabrica- 
tion is expected. 



StaXuA "Rzpoit 
Hint Htatth and Sa^tty RzAeaA.cn 
lot tkt 
PfUod Ending May 31. 1979 



ContARCt Wo: JO 199002 

ContAO.ct.OH. : National Academy of Sciences 
Washington, D.C. 



TiXZt: Study of the Measurement and Control of Respirable Dust in Mines 



Pnognam : CMH & S 

Vatt StaAttd : October 1978 

TPO (BOM): J. Breslin (WO) 



Rt6taA.cn AA&q : Respirable dust 
Schtdultd Complexion : October 1979 
RRC ChauAman (HSHA) : T. Tomb (PTSC) 



PlOjtct Objective. : To assess previous research by BOM and other organizations 
in mine dust measurement and control, review the current state of technology, 
and identify research needs . 

PoAiibtt Impact on MSHA : Recommendations resulting from this study may con- 
tlict with current"MSHA priorities . 

Related PlOj'tcti : Contract J0199046 (BCR) . 

Background : The House Appropriations Committee on May 24, 1978, recommended 
that BOM "undertake a comprehensive assessment of previous research in dust 
control, evaluate the progress that has been made in improving mining condi- 
tions, and identify research needs." This contract is the primary response to 
that recommendation. 



PtlOQK&A& and Status : A seven-member committee has been formed by the National 
Academy of Sciences to carry out this study. The committee members are from 
universities, the mining industry, and mine equipment manufacturing industry. 
The committee has met four times and is nearing completion of its draft report. 
The final report will document the state-of-the-art of mine dust measurement 
and control and will identify research needs . 



Statu* ReponX 
Mine HecdXh and Safety ReAeaAch 
Ion. the 
PenXod Ending May 31, 1979 



ContAacX Wo: J0177013 

ContXacXoK - National Bureau of Standards 
Gaithersburg, Md. 



TiXte '- Determination of the Accuracy and Reliability of Coal Mine Dust 
Measurements 



?noQKCUn : CMH & S 

Pate StaAtzd: February 1977 



Rue.OA.ch Atea: Respirable dust 



Scheduled Complexion •• July 1979 

TPO ( BOM ) : G. H. Schnakenberg, Jr. (PRC) RRC Chairman ( MSHA ) : T. Tomb (PTSC) 

PhAJecX 0bje.cX4.ve. '- To develop an experimental test plan for determination of 
the accuracy and reliability of coal mine dust measurements. 

Po&iiblt Impact on MSHA : A new estimate of dust measurement precision could 
affect current or future MSHA regulations. 

He.taXzd PlOje.ctA : None . 

BackgfLOwd : A December 1975 GAO report recommended that MESA (now MSHA), BOM, 
and NIOSH "conduct a joint study to determine quantitatively the accuracy and 
reliability of dust measurements when taken with the current equipment by coal 
miners in underground mines." This contract was given to NBS to develop the 
test plan for this study. 



Ptiogfi£J>& and Statu* : NBS has developed a test plan which would measure concen- 
tration gradients around a machine operator, rather than the accuracy of dust 
measurements. They are now working on a revised plan which is due June 30. 
It appears unlikely that any field experiment will be able to determine the 
accuracy of coal mine dust measurements in a much more quantitative way than 
is now known. 



Status ReponX 
Hine HtalXh and Safety ReMeaJich 
ion. the 
Period Ending May 31, 1979 



Title. '- Shearer-Mounted Dust Collector 

PlogAOm : CMH & S 

Vatt StaAted : September 1978 

TPO (BOM): E. Divers (PRC) 



Corvtnuct Wo: J0387222 

ContAacXoA : Foster-Miller Associates , Inc. 
Waltham, Mass. 



ReAeaAch AAza : Respirable dust 
Scheduled Complexion : March 1981 
RRC CkalAman (MSHA) : T. Tomb (PTSC) 



PAOj'ecX Objective : To design, fabricate, and test a modified double-drum 
shearer to incorporate a high-efficiency dust collector. 

Possible Impact on MSHA: Successful completion of this project should facili- 
tate compliance of longwall-face mining operations with respirable dust standards. 

Relaxed Project* •• None . 

BackgAound '- Longwall mining operations using double-drum shearers are chroni- 
cally confronted with high concentrations of respirable dust. A recent MSHA 
survey showed only 10 out of 32 double-drum shearer sections to be in compliance 
with dust standards. Attempts to retrofit dust collectors to double-drum 
shearers have been generally unsuccessful. This project will involve the 
redesign of a new shearer to include a built-in high-efficiency dust collector. 



PAogAZJ>& and Statu* : Work completed to date includes design of the scrubber 
module to be incorporated within an Eickhoff double-drum shearer. A full scale 
mock-up of a longwall face and shearer has been constructed and dust collector 
inlet -efficiency tests have begun. Mr. R. J. Hamilton from the British NCB 
visited the contractor to consult on this project. A possible contract modifi- 
cation is being considered to investigate the use of high-pressure, water- 
powered dust collectors with a double-drum shearer. The British NCB will 
cooperate on the design of the water-powered dust collector for the cowlings 
of the shearer. 



SCotoi TtzpolA 
ttinz HzaJLXk and Sa^zty RzAzaAch 
ioi tkz 
PeAA.od Ending May 31, 1979 



ContAncX No: H0282031 

ContAa.cA.OK : Southwest Research Institute 
San Antonio, Tex. 



Title: Dosimeter Test Program in Active Uranium Mines 



VnogKam : MNMH & S 

Vote. StcWtzd : September 1978 

TPO (BOM): R. F. Droullard (DRC) 



Re^eOAcA AAza: Radiation hazards 
Schzdulzd ZompleJLion • April 1980 
RRC ChaAJiman (USHA) : r. t. Beckman 



PXQjZcX. ObjZCttvZ '- To evaluate the performance and system reliability of three 
types of personal dosimeters in active underground uranium mine environments. 

?0i>i,<ibLz Impact on HSU A : These three dosimeters could provide MSHA with needed 
dosimeters for measuring miner exposure to radon daughters. If the tests are 
successful, this program may lead to promulgation of new standards requiring the 
use of personal dosimeters. 
HzlatZU ?M)izc£&: Contract J0188003 and in-house research efforts at DRC and PRC. 



Background : Current practice is to measure exposure to radon daughters by 
means of grab samples collected in work areas over time intervals ranging from 
daily to monthly, or longer. It is well established that the daughter product 
concentration is quite variable during a working shift, both with respect to time 
and location in the mine. It is, therefore, highly desirable to continuously 
measure the miners 1 exposure to daughter products by means of a personal dosim- 
eter to insure compliance with the 4 WLM standard. The Bureau of Mines, through 
in-house and contract research, has developed three personal dosimeter systems 
for measuring working level exposures. These have been found acceptable in the 
laboratory and under controlled mine conditions , and their response has been 
within the statistical accuracy limits of error proposed by MSHA. 

P>wglZA& and S£a£LU> : Two of the six mine tests on three types of personal 
dosimeters have been completed. Minor packaging problems were encountered with 
the electronic unit during the first test. These have been corrected and no 
major problems have been experienced in the second test. The design of the 
passive-track etch dosimeter is being reevaluated as a result of the outcome d£ 
the first test. Performance of the TL dosimeters has been excellent. The field 
test program is currently on schedule. 



Statui Kzpolt 
Him HzaZth and Sa^zty ReAejvich 
&0K tkz 
Vvu.o& Ending May 31, 1979 



ContAnct Wo: J0177125 

ContAa.cto'i : Ivor Hawkes Associates 
Lebanon, N.H. 



TiXls.' Development of Six Prototype Production Stoper Drills 



Ptuogrum : CMH & S 

Vote. Stantzd: June 1977 



ReaeaA-c/t K/vta : Noise control 
Schzduizd Completion •• July 1979 



TPO ( BOM ) : Roy C. Bartholomae (PRC) RRC 



RRC Chaifunw (HSHA) : Dennis A. Giardino 
(PTSC) 



PfWjZCt ObjZCtU.ve. •' To develop and test six preproduction pneumatic stoper 
drills that produce overall sound pressure levels of 95 dbA at the operator's 
ear under operating conditions. 

Po4>6-iblz Impact on MSHA: successful completion of this contract will produce 
a stoper drill that will comply with noise standards under normal, full-shift 
operating conditions, without requiring the operator to wear ear protectors, 
as is presently required. 

Pzlatzd PAff/ectA : Contracts H0387006 , Development of -Retrofit Noise Treatment 
for Jumbo Drills; and H0395029 and H0395025, Development of Noise Control Tech- 
nology for Jumbo Drills . 

BackgAX) and '• Pneumatic stoper drills produce sound pressure levels which fre- 
quently exceed the maximum allowable level of 115 dbA, and so the operator is 
required to wear ear protectors. Previous stoper drill projects have concen- 
trated on providing integral mufflers to quiet the exhaust gases. The six 
prototype drills under this project are being developed with the cooperation of 
a leading drill manufacturer. Low-noise operation is to be achieved through the 
use of a valveless cycle, independent steel rotation, an integral muffler, and a 
shroud tube to enclose the drill steel. Successful accomplishment of the 95 dbA 
operating level will allow production drilling times of up to four hours per 
eight-hour shift without the use of ear protectors. 



Plogim and Statu* ■■ The drill steel breakage problem referred to in the last 
status report (period ending October 31, 1978) has been resolved. The redesigned 
drill cycle has a higher blow rate and lower blow energy per cycle, and seems to 
have successfully reduced the peak stress levels in the drill rod. The new 
mufflers, drill body, and drill rod shroud tube have been tested and the new 
drill configuration produces noise levels of 95-96 dbA. The air leg has also 
been modified so that when collaring a hole, only percussive impact forces 
without rotation are used. This is a unique feature for stoper drills and will 
make this drill easier to use. An in-mine test program has begun with a demon- 
stration at the Pittsburgh Research Center's experimental mine in Bruceton, Pa. 
The drills are scheduled to be placed in various operating mines for extended 
test periods. 



Status Kzpont 
Hinz Health and Sa^zty RzszaAch 
^on the. 
PeAA.od Ending May 31, 1979 



ContAact No: J0177060 



ContAactoK: 



Wyle Laboratories 
Huntsville, Ala. 



litis.: Investigation of Direct Airborne Noise Generated During Coal Cutting 



PAogAOm : CMH & S 

Vote. StaAtzd: September 1977 

TPO (BOM) : J. Alton Burks (FRC) 



RZSZOAch AM.a : Noise control 

Schzdulzd Complexion : March 1979 

RRC ChaiAJvan (MSHA) : Dennis A. Giardino 



(PTSC) 

PAOJZCt Ob jZCtcvz : xo determine the contribution of airborne noise generated dur- 
ing coal cutting and extraction to the total underground mining noise environment, 

Possible. Impact on MSHA : This assessment is significant for the establishment 
of realistic mining noise standards. 

Related PAOJZCts : Contract J0387229, Investigation and Control of Noise Gener- 
ated During Coal Cutting. (A recently awarded continuation of the reported effort.") 



Background : To date, most noise control research has involved the quieting of 
mining machinery through retrofit and redesign methods without considering the 
contribution of the noise generated during the coal cutting and extraction 
process. This contract is an initial step toward consideration of the cutting 
and extraction noise. Through laboratory tests, this effort will characterize 
the noise generated during coal cutting and fracture. A follow-up project has 
just been awarded to extend these results to actual underground coal cutting 
tests. This project is cited above under Related Projects . 



PaoqAZSS and Status •• Since the last status report (period ending October 31, 
1979), the contractor has continued the experimental work to study coal-fracture 
noise through the use of the linear cutting apparatus . In addition to measuring 
the radiated noise and cutting forces during each test, the output of an 
accelerometer mounted on the coal face was also monitored. Analysis of this 
data indicates that noise radiated by the coal face may be the dominant source 
of noise, rather than the fracturing process. This tentative conclusion is 
based on two observations: (1) the root mean square value of the acoustic 
pressure is directly proportional to the root mean square value of the coal face 
acceleration, and (2) there is a strong correlation between the spectral content 
of noise and face acceleration when a coal sample is cut and when the same 
sample is simply struck with a hammer. Work is being conducted to further 
investigate these observations. Additional parametric tests will be conducted 
using a 2-inch depth of cut. An interim report published in July contains a 
summary of the research to date. 



Statu* Ttzpoftf 
Mine. Hzalth and Sa^eXy Kz&eAAch 
£oa the 
PeJviod Ending May 31. 1979 



ContAnct No : H0387016 

ContAM.cX.OA. : Industrial Acoustics Co. 
Bronx, N.Y. 



TWUL'. 



Installation and Evaluation of Crusher Noise Control 



TAOQAjm : CMH & S 

Vote. StOAte.d : May 1978 

TPO (BOM): J. Alton Burks (PRC) 



Re^eaA.cA knza : Noise control 

Schtdultd Complexion : July 1979 

fCRC ChaVunan (MStfA) : Dennis A. Giardino 
(PTSC) 



PAOjZCt Objective. : To install and evaluate the effectiveness of an acoustic 
enclosure installed around the secondary crushers in an operating taconite plant. 

PoAi-LbZe. Impact on MSHA : Successful completion of this project will provide 
proven noise control equipment for secondary crushers, using field retrofit 
measures . 
Kzlatzd PAjQjtcU : Contracts J0366055 and J0177014 (both completed). 



BackgAound : The previous Bureau-funded contract , J0366055 , Noise Control in 
Non-Coal Plants and Mills - Study of Noise Sources in a Cross Section of Taconite 
Plants , surveyed a representative sample of taconite plants , defined employee 
noise exposure , and determined reductions necessary to comply with the Coal Mine 
Health and Safety Act of 1969. Another previous contract, J0177014, Source 
Diagnosis and Abatement Techniques for Noise Control in Taconite Plants, iden- 
tified the secondary crushers as a primary noise source typical to most taconite 
plants. Since the completion of the two efforts cited above, two designs for 
acoustic enclosures for secondary crushers have been designed. The design by 
Industrial Acoustics Co. has been selected for installation in an operating 
taconite plant under the present contract. 

PAOQASJiit and StatuA : Since the last status report (period ending October 31, 
1978) , the acoustic enclosure system designed by Industrial Acoustics Co. for a 
secondary crusher under contract J0177014 was fabricated and installed at 
Jackson County Iron Co. in Black River Falls, Wis. The system spanned two 
levels in the plant, with the upper level being a track-wall type, while the 
lower one, near the drive-train level of the crusher, consisted of semi-permanent 
panels. However, following installation, plant engineering personnel decided 
that the same degree of access as was available for the upper levels was also 
needed for the lower level. The lower level has been redesigned and is presently 
being reinstalled. Installation is scheduled to be completed during June 1979. 
During installation of the lower level, the upper level track-wall system was 
thoroughly inspected to assess its mechanical integrity and operational perform- 
ance. No problems have been encountered. When the lower installation is 
completed, a periodic evaluation of the entire system will be conducted for a 
six -month period. 



10 



SXaXuA Rzpoftf 
Htcne Health and Safety RcaeoAcA 
601 Xhe. 
Pzxiod Ending May 31, 1979 



ConXAazt Wo: H0155155 

ConXAa.cX.OK : Bolt, Beranek, and Newman 
Cambridge, Mass. 



T-itlz - Demonstrating the Noise Control of a Coal Preparation Plant 



VfiOQtum : CMH & S 

Pate StOAXtd t June 1975 

TPO (BOM) : John G. Kovac (PRC) 



RtAZOAch A/iea : Noise control 

Sdizdulzd Complexion ; October 1979 

RRC ChoAJunan (HSHA) : Dennis A. Giardino 
(PTSC) 



PfiOjZcX Objective. '- To demonstrate the feasibility of quieting a coal prepara- 
tion plant by field retrofit techniques and assess the long-term reliability, 
maintainability, and costs of the control measures. 

PoA6i.b£e. Impact on MSHA : Successful completion of this contract will demon- 
strate that a coal preparation plant may be quieted by field retrofit techniques. 
The project will assess the practicality of the noise control measures. 
Related PAo/eot* : Contracts H0387014 and HO387013 , Field Evaluation of 
Resiliently-Clad Screen Decks (dual award). 

Background : Two earlier Bureau-funded contracts, H0133027 and H0144079, sur- 
veyed the noise sources and problems in coal preparation plants and developed 
field retrofit noise-control measures. The present contract has implemented the 
control measures developed in a cooperating coal preparation plant that pro- 
cesses 1,600 tons of coal per hour. Through these measures and by proper 
distribution of personnel, the preparation plant was brought into compliance 
with the noise standards. However, the long-term reliability, maintenance, and 
cost considerations were not considered. The contract is presently modified to 
address these considerations. 



VKog>\£Jiii and SXaXuA ■• Since the last status report (period ending October 31, 
1979) , monitoring of the existing noise control treatments at an operating coal 
preparation plant processing 1,600 tons of coal per hour has continued. Where 
operational problems have been identified, acoustical materials have been 
replaced or noise-control treatments redesigned to correct the problem. All 
the noise control measures appear successful, except for resiliently-clad 
screen decks that have suffered de lamination and have often become clogged with 
coal. Two parallel contracts, H0387014 and H0387013, have been awarded to 
investigate the screen problems. These efforts involve installation of 
resiliently-clad decks in operating coal preparation plants and monitoring their 
performance. To date, decks have been installed in four plants and performance 
evaluation is continuing. 



11 



Statin Kzpoit 
Hinz Hzattk and Sa^zty RzizoAch 
Ion. the 
VznJiod Ending May 31, 1979 



ContAact hlo : H0387019 

ContACLCtOK : MDA Scientific Inc. 
Park Ridge, 111. 



TJUUiZ.' Design, Develop, and Fabricate N0 S and N0 X Field Sampling Kits 



Vnoqnnm : cmh & s 

Vote. StaAtzd : September 1978 

TPO (BOM): B. I. Ferber (PRC) 



RZAe.OA.dl Mea: Industrial hygiene 
Schzdulzd Completion : November 1979 
RRC CkaUvnan (MSHA) : s. Goldberg 



PlOjZCt Objective. : To provide a simple, self-contained analysis kit for the 
passive nitrogen dioxide (N0 2 ) and oxides of nitrogen (NG^ ) samplers developed 
at New York University (NYU). 

?066ibtz Impact on MSHA : The delivery of ten of these kits resulted in coopera- 
tive BOM and MSHA field trials. 

Zzlatzd VAOjZctt> : None . 

Background : Through grants GO133066 and GO177042 , to NYU, a passive N0 2 and 
NQ, sampler requiring simple colorimetric analysis was developed. In order to 
provide MSHA with timely results, BOM is developing a field analysis kit so that 
same-day results are obtainable and can be conveyed to the mine. 



Plogl£J>& and Statu* : Design work is essentially complete on the samplers, 
colorimeter-microprocessor, and cases to contain all kit components. Work is 
being started on a prototype kit unit for Bureau evaluation. 



12 



StaXui Pepoit 
More He.alXk and SaficXy ReAZOAch 
601 the 
PeAiod Ending May 31, 1979 



ContAacX No: J0387211 



ContAacXoi: 



Factory-Mutual Research 
Norwood, Maine 



T-Cttz. '- Development of Guidelines for the Performance Evaluation of Gas- 
Detection Devices 



PKogiam : CMH & S 

Date. StaAXzd : September 1978 

TPO (BOM) : Joseph E. Chilton (PRC) 



RZAZOAch AAza : Industrial hygiene 
SchzduZzd Complexion : November 1979 
RRC ChcuJman (MSHA) : S. Goldberg 



PKOJZcX Ob jZcXamZ '- To develop a unified method for determining performance 
characteristics of gas -detection devices. 

PoAA-iblz Impact on MSHA ; The resulting document may be referred to in subse- 
quent regulations on the performance and certification of gas-detection devices. 

He.laX.td PlOjZcXA : None . 

Background : As part of an integrated development program in air contaminant 
(gas) measurement, the Bureau will provide a comprehensive documentation on the 
methods to be used for the performance characterization and evaluation of gas- 
detection devices. This document will be used by MSHA, NIOSH, BOM, or their 
designated contractors to provide uniformity in the methods used. 



PfLpgAZAA and Status : a literature search was conducted for reports of the 
performance evaluation of gas -detection instruments and copies of the reports 
obtained. The framework for the initial document has been completed and a 
glossary of operational terms has been prepared for use with the document. 
Visits have been made to other laboratories engaged in evaluation of instru- 
mentation for observation of procedures and use of cited instrumentation. 
Work is continuing on the draft of the final report. 



13 



Statu* Tlzpoit 
Hinz Hzalth and Safety ZzmzokcK 
iox thz 
PeAlod Ending May 31. 1979 



ContAnct No: H0133004 



ContAO.ct.OK: 



UltraSystems 
Irvine, Calif. 



TJJLlz: Coal Mine Combustion Products, Identification and Analysis 



PnogKam : cmh & s 

Vote. StaAtzd : July 1972 
TPO (BOM) : T. Christos (PRC) 



RtiZOAch A*ea : Industrial hygiene 
SchtduLzd Complexion : December 1978 
RRC ChcUAMW (USHA) : s. Goldberg 



PfiOj'zct ObjZCtcvz : To develop a reliable, meaningful basis for assessing 
potential toxicity hazards created prior to combustion by articles used in 
underground coal mines. 

Po6&<ibZe. Impact on MStfA: This material provides MSHA with toxic potential 
informaTlon on a variety of materials commonly used underground. This informa- 
tion can be used by MSHA's Toxic Standards Committee. 
?.zlatzd PKOjZcti : None . 

Background : At MSHA's request, the Bureau undertook a program to investigate 
the effect of thermal oxidation of common materials used underground. The study 
included conveyor belts made of various materials , flame retardants , preserva- 
tive polymers , fibers , and hydraulic fluids . 



PlogKOJih and Status : a final report covering the research on each material 
grouping has been prepared each year. The program is completed. The final 
report provides a description of all experimental assemblies and procedures used 
throughout this project. In addition, the final report summarizes the results 
generated during the program and tabulates all materials and data as a reference 
index for compositions according to potential hazards arising from their use in 
underground operations. 



14 



SXxUu6 PzponX 
Uine. HzaJLXk and SafaeXy RzizaAch 
hoi thz 
PziXod Ending May 31, 1979 



ConVuicX No: G0166027 



ConXAacXoi: 



Michigan Technological 
University 
Houghton, Mich. 



TJXZz: Monitoring of Mine Air Pollutants 



Piogiam : CMH & S RzAZOAch kiza : Industrial hygiene 

VaXz StaAtzd : September 1975 Schzdulzd Complexion : August 1979 

TPO (BOM) ; G. H. Schnakenberg, Jr. (PRC) RRC ChaJjunan (MSHA) : S. Goldberg 

PlOj'zcX Ob j ZCXa-V Z : To examine various methods for measuring regulated diesel 
emissions in underground mines and to examine the interrelationship of the 
diesel and mine systems. 

Poi>6iblZ Impact on MSHA : This study may provide MSHA with methods of control 
and monitoring of diesel contaminants and affect standards formulation procedures . 

Related PlOjZCti : None . 

Background : The project was undertaken to provide knowledge of the inter- 
relationship of the diesel and its underground environment* Areas being inves- 
tigated include monitoring with portable and ma chine -mounted gas detectors, 
ventilation in dead-end drifts, innovative ventilation schemes, and mine air 
contaminant characterization. 



PloglZAA and SXaXui • These papers have resulted: 

1. Simulation and Measurement of Dispersing Gaseous Exhaust Emissions for 
Diesel Engines in a Mine Environment; Ph.D. Thesis, Harold J. Schock, 
April 1979. 

2. An Overview of Monitoring and Control Methods for Diesel Pollutants in 
Underground Mines Using Diesel Equipment; J. Johnson; paper presented at 
81st Annual General Meeting of CIM, 1979, Montreal, Canada, Apr. 22-25, 1979. 

3. Ambient Pollutant Concentrations in Two Underground Metal Mines Using 
Diesel Equipment; E. 0. Reinbold, D. Carlson; paper presented at 1979 
Annual Meeting of AIME , New Orleans, La., Feb. 18-22, 1979. 



15 



Statai Ttzpoit 
Mine Health and Sa^zty Re4ea*cA 
ioK the. 
P&Aiod Ending May 31, 1979 



Contract Wo: H0230023 

ContAactOK - Foster-Miller Associates , Inc , 
Waltham, Mass. 



T-itiZ'- Optimizing Diffuser Fan Flow and Location in Coal Mine Working Face Areas 



Pnog/um : cm & s 

Vote. StaAtzd : May 1973 

TPO (BOM) : F. Kissel (FRC) 



R&&eaA.cA AAZO} Ventilation 
■Scheduled Complexion ? October 1979 
RRC Cha&vman (MSHA) : W. Bruce (DTSC) 



PfiOjZCt Objective. '- To identify airflow patterns , velocities , quantities , and poorly 
ventilated regions in the working face area, and eliminate these poorly ventilated 
regions by optimizing diffuser fan location and flow and using water spray systems. 
Po&iiibLe. Impact on MSHA.* Technology that can assist in compliance with manda- 
tory ventilation standards is expected to result from this research. 

Pttatzd PtWjZctA •' In-house project 8C2 in the fiscal year 1979 program. 



Background '■ in entries where continuous miners are operating , much of the air 
shortcuts over and around the rear portion of the machine and goers directly to 
the exhaust brattice. Recently, machine -mounted diffuser fans have been used 
to improve ventilation at the coal mine working face. A study was undertaken 
in full-scale models of high-coal mine entries to optimize the location and 
airflow of these fans. Early in this study, the potential of water sprays to 
move air became apparent. Results showed that the optimum systems designed for 
both the diffuser fan and the water sprays reduce methane concentration at the 
working face by a factor of three to five, when compared with current designs 
of machine -mounted systems. 



PfL0gA£J>6 and Status •• Underground demonstration of the spray-fan system in 
Marianna No. 58 was successful. The contract has been extended to include an 
underground test of the system with a longer setback of the line curtain, 
a manual for installation and operation of the spray-fan system, and some 
additional data analysis. A mine for the test has been obtained, and the 
system design and fabrication is nearing completion. Additional data analysis 
of the underground tests at Marianna No. 58 is underway. 



16 



StaXm> Hzponjt 
Hint Health and Safety Re^eaAch 
ion. the 
Vexlod Ending May 31, 1979 



Contract hip : JO395016 

ContAa.cX.QX : Foster-Miller Associates , Inc. 
Waltham, Mass. 



TJJULb.'- Assessment of Effectiveness of Janelid Ventilation System With Tracer Gas 



VKogKOm : MNMH & S 

Vote. Started : May 1979 

TPO (BOM): E. D. Thimons (PRC) 



Rz&ZOAch Knza - Ventilation 

Scheduled Complexion ; July 1980 

RKC Chal/unan [USHA] : W. Bruce (DTSC) 



VKQjZCt Ob je.ctA.ve. '- To test with a one-fourth scale model and tracer gas the 

effectiveness of ventilating dead headings in hard-rock mines by the Janelid 

method. 

PoJ>6-iblt Impact on MSHA: This project will provide information that will aid 

in establishing proper ventilation in noncoal mines. 

Related PAo/eat6 : Contract J0387223. 

Background : Effective ventilation of dead headings in active areas of hard- 
rock mines is a common problem for ventilation engineers. Fresh air is needed 
at the face areas of these headings to remove fumes and dust originating from 
diesel equipment and blasting. As the heading length increases, using the 
conventional method of directing an air jet at the face from a fan at the entry 
to the heading, the tubing length is increased and is more likely to be damaged 
by equipment. The Janelid system mounts a fan on the back of a diesel loader. 
The fan pulls cooler air in along the mine floor and discharges the warmer 
exhaust air along the roof. 



VlOQfiZAii and StatuA : The construction of the one -fourth scale model mine heading is 
about 80 percent completed. The design of the model front -end loader has been 
completed. Acquisition of fans, heaters, heater controls, and C0 3 detection 
instrumentation in support of project has been initiated. 



17 



Sta£u6 Rzpcvrf 
Hint HiaJtth and Safety Rc&ejVich 
ioK the. 
Pcniod Ending May 31. 1979 



Contnact Wo: J0387223 

Contractor '- Foster-Miller Associates , Inc, 
Waltham, Mass. 



TiXZZ' Assessment of Induction Fan Effectiveness 



Pro gram : MNMH & S 

Vatz Startzd : August 1978 

TPO (BOM): E. D. Thimons (FRC) 



PsjiZOrdr A/t&q : Ventilation 
Schzdatzd Complexion : April 1980 
RRC Chairman (MStfA) : w. Bruce (DTSC) 



Projzct ObjZCtA.\JZ - to determine how the basic properties of air jets from a 
30-inch-diameter axial fan are affected by the fan location and various 
exhaust attachments. 

PoAiiblz Impact on MSHA : This project will provide information that will aid 
in establishing proper ventilation and may be useful in drafting standards. 

Re-dated Prpj'zcU : Contract JO395016. 

Background : Hard-rock mine operators generally use auxiliary fans to ventilate 
dead headings. When such a fan is used without tubing, it is commonly referred 
to as an induction fan. Normally, the fan is located near the cross cut so that 
fresh air penetrates into the headings. Although induction fans can move large 
quantities of air, their effectiveness in delivering fresh air to the heading 
is not known. The contractor will use the Bureau -developed tracer-gas technique 
and air velocity measurements to evaluate the effectiveness of 30-inch fans in a 
hard-rock mine dead heading. The contractor will also conduct aboveground tests 
to determine what factors affect jet penetration and whether the heading venti- 
lation improves as the jet penetration is increased. 



ProgreJ>6 and S£atu6 : Aboveground and underground tests have been completed, 
and analysis of samples and data is underway. 



18 



Statu!, Rzpolt 
Mine Hzatth and Safety ReAeaAch 
&ok the 
Vexlod Ending May 31. 1979 



Contract No : JO166076 

ConViactOK: Midwest Research Institute 



TltlZ'- Quenching Behavior of Coal Dust-Air Mixtures 



Piogiam : cmh & s 

Vote StaAted : February 1976 

TPO (BOM) : David Burgess (PRC) 



RZAe.CLA.ch Kfiza.' Fire and explosion 

prevention 
Scheduled Completion : September 1979 

RRC ChalAman ( MSHA ) : j. Nagy (PTSC) 



Vfioject Objective : To provide a systematic body of data on the quenching 
diameters and distances in pure coal dust-air mixtures. 

PoAAlblt Impact on MSHA : This data will allow MSHA to specify the size of 
openings required to prevent propagation of a coal dust explosion in coal dust- 
air mixtures. 
Re.lxU.ed PlOJZCtA : None . 

Background : Flames will not propagate through every size opening. The size 
of an opening through which a flame will propagate depends upon the number of 
parameters, which can be specified. The dimension through which a flame will 
not propagate is called the "quenching diameter" or "quenching distance." 
Quenching distances for gaseous flames are reasonably well known, but for coal 
dust flames they are not well known. 



PfLOgfiZAA a/id StatUA •• An experimental study of propagation and quenching 
behavior in both downward- and upward -flowing systems was undertaken. Only the 
upward-flowing systems yielded believable and reproducible results, presumably 
because the process of delivering dust against gravity discriminates against 
agglomerates. For Pittsburgh Seam coal, the minimum quenching diameter for a 
10- to 20-micron fraction is about 0.7 to 0.8 cm. This is the first known 
direct measure of quenching distance for coal-dust flames and is in contrast to 
previously published estimates of value greater than 10 cm. The implications 
for pneumatic transport of Pittsburgh Seam coal are that dust explosions could 
propagate through transport ducts. 



19 



Statin, "Rzpont 
Hint Health and Safety ReMeaKch 
Ion. the 
Period Ending May 31, 1979 



Contract Wo: HO252085 



ZontJUlctoK.: Factory Mutual Research Corp. 



Title.'- Gallery Test Related to Mine Timber Fires 



Vnognam - MNMH & S 

Vote. StaAtzd : June 1975 

TPO (BOM): c. Lee (FRC) 



RZAe.OA.ch Kne.au Fire and explosion 

prevention 
Scheduled Completion : 1981 

RRC Ch&Uunan (MSHA) : j. Nagy (PTSC) 



Project Objective : To design, construct, and operate a large-scale fire test 
facility representative of underground metal and nonmetal mines, and to conduct 
large-scale timber-set fire tests and large-scale conveyor belt fire tests. 
Pp&ltible Impact on MSHA: The information developed by this project will be 
used to develop realistic fire standards based on engineering data for metal and 
nonmetal mines. 

Related PnjQjZcti : Contract JO166068, Combined Fire/Rot Retardant Treatment for 
Mine Timber. 



Background : Prior to 1975, there existed in the United States no full-scale 
fire test facility suitable for simulating timber fires in metal and nonmetal 
mines. Such a test facility was needed to make realistic evaluations of safety 
measures proposed to prevent timber fires. In 1975, the Bureau elected to 
contract for the construction and operation of a large-scale mine-fire gallery. 



P/iogA£A& and StatuA : The design and construction of the gallery are completed, 
and this phase required about a year more than initially projected. Two types 
of tests have been completed. Flammability characteristics of various conveyor 
belts under simulated mine-fire conditions were determined. Some belts that 
would be approved under Schedule 2G, using current tests, were found to have 
poor or borderline fire resistance in large-scale tests. 

Seventeen mine-fire tests were completed with various timber-set full load- 
ings. These tests show that the capability of a particular fuel loading for 
propagating a fire depends upon the imposed ventilation velocity and the igni- 
tion intensity. These dependencies need to be better defined. 

Reports describing the conveyor belt and timber-set tests are being processed 
for the Bureau's open file and for NTIS. 



20 



StaXai, RzpoiX. 
Uinz HzaJtfh and Sa^zXy RzMzaAck 
ioi thz 
Pzsiiod Ending May 31, 1979 



ConVuicX No : J0166068 

ContAOi cXoK '■ Springborn Laboratories, Inc, 



T-itlZ'- Combined Fire /Rot Retardant Treatment for Wood Mine Timber 



Vrwqnjvn : MNMH & S 

VatZ StaAtzd : June 1976 

TTO (BOM): j. singer (PRC) 



RzAZOSLch Anza: Fire and explosion 

prevention 
SchzduJLzd Complexion •• 1980 

RRC ChaJJuman (MSHA) : j. Nagy (PTSC) 



PKOjZCt ObjZC&LVZ : To develop cost-effective treatments for mine timbers based 
on combined f ire-retardant and preservative materials and recommend these treat- 
ments for large-scale evaluation. 

PoJ>6-ibtZ Impact on MSHA : This research is expected to assist in the development 
of guidelines and regulations related to fire and rot hazards in metal and 
nomnetal mines. 
Related PlOjZCtt> : Contract H0252085, Gallery Tests Related to Mine Timber Fires 



BackgAAund : Current regulations require that mine timbers used for special 
installations, such as a transformer housing, be treated for fire retardance. 
No general fire-retardant treatment of mine timber is required, and no rot- 
retardant treatments have been specified. A reasonably priced combined fire- 
and rot-retardant treatment could reduce the fire hazards of timber-lined 
passageways in metal and nomnetal mines and mitigate the need for frequent 
replacement of timbers . 



VKQgKUhli and StatlUt : Thirty commercially available formulations for combined 
fire-retardant and preservative treatment of timbers were applied to Douglas fir 
samples and evaluated for decay and flammability . The five best systems were 
given a thorough laboratory evaluation using both pine and fir. Evaluations 
included flame spread, smoke density, toxic gases, decay, compressive strength, 
flammability after artificial weathering, and cost. Two systems were selected 
for full-scale tests. These systems are being evaluated in a large-scale gallery 
(Contract HO252085, the Factory Mutual surface gallery). 



21 



StaXuA Rzpoit 
Uinz HzaJtth and Sa&z£y Rz&zaAch 
ion. tkz 
PzAiod Ending May 31, 1979 



ConViact No : HO357108 
ContAa.cJ.OK : Mobil R&D Corp. 



TaXZZ ' Improved Fire Safety of Coal Mine Hydraulic Systems 



Pnognjun : cmh & s 

Vatz StaAtzd : June 1979 

TPO (BOM) : J. M. Kuchta (PRC) 



Rz&ZOAch A/i£.a: Fire and explosion 
prevention 

Schzdaizd Complexion •• 1979 

RRC ChcuAman ( MSHA ) : j. Nagy (ptsc) 



PlQjZCt Objzctcvz : xo establish minimum performance criteria for fire-resistant 

hydraulic fluid systems to be used in coal mines and develop improved fluids 

meeting these criteria. 

Po&iibZz Impact on MSHA : ihis project is expected to result in possible 

criteria development for standards dealing with the use of hydraulic fluids in 

mines . 

Rzlatzd ViwizcjU : None . 

BackgAvund: Petroleum based hydraulic fluids are a fire hazard in certain 
mining applications. Emphasis in this project is on water-in-oil emulsions. 
Pump tests will be conducted with candidate fluids at various temperatures and 
pressure to determine the variation of functional and flammability properties 
after simulated use. 



Ptwg?iZJ,& and StaXub : The contract has been completed. Included in the achieve- 
ments are: (1) the development of fluid property and pump performance specifica- 
tions; (2) development of an improved water-oil invert -emu Is ion fluid; 
(3) successful 9-month, in-mine demonstration of the improved emulsified fluid 
on continuous miners; (4) development of a field test kit for determining 
viscosity, contamination, and water content of the fluid; (5) evaluation of the 
Schedule 30 spray-ignition test; and (6) evaluation of additives for minimizing 
gear bearing fatigue. A final report has been prepared and will be placed in 
the Bureau's open file and with NTIS. Copies will be distributed to MSHA. 
Field tests kits will be given to MSHA. 



22 



StaXui KzponX 
Him. HzalXh and Sa^zXy RzAzaAch 
ion. tint 
P&'u.od Ending May 31, 1979 



ConViacX No: HO177069 



ConVia.cX.on. : 



ENSCO, Inc. 
Springfield, Va . 



T-cttZ '- Cableless Electronic Surveying System for Drilling Horizontal Holes 



?Kognam : cmh & s 

VatZ SXaAXzd : September 1977 

TPO ( BOM ) : M. Bowser (PRC) 



RZAZOAch A/uza : Methane control 
SchzduZzd Complexion : September 1979 
RRC CnaOunan ( MSHA ) ; w. Bruce (DTSC) 



rAXijZcX ObjZcXcvZ '- xo recondition the cableless electronic surveying system 
used in drilling horizontal holes and to redesign the surface signal-processing 
equipment . 

PoAi-ibZz Impact on MSHA: This work will assist in approval of a ventilation 
plan for mining in areas where horizontal de gasification holes have been drilled. 

VjzlnXzd PlOjZCtl) : In-house projects 8B3 and 8C1 in the fiscal year 1979 program. 



BackgAA und : Present procedures for determining hole trajectory during the 
drilling of" horizontal or slant holes require 1 to 1.5 hours per determination 
by the time the hole is 2,000 feet long. Because a hole is surveyed every 
20 to 30 feet, more time may be spent surveying than drilling. Consequently, 
total drilling cost becomes prohibitively high. A cableless, electronic survey- 
ing system that is an integral part of the drilling string was designed, con- 
structed, and tested under a previous contract. During the underground drilling 
test, problems developed with the downhole trajectory measuring components and 
the surface data processing and display equipment. 



VKoqKSJtii and StaXuA •' xhe source of the problems with the downhole trajectory 
measuring components was identified. The unit was rehabilitated and tested in 
a working mine , with satisfactory results . The unit was subjected to more than 
9 hours of passive survey work and 25 hours of intensive drilling with the 
Bureau's methane drainage drill without failure. 

Since then the downhole package has been upgraded to correct the known 
operational and maintenance deficiencies and to match the operational capability 
of the downhole system with that of the signal processing and display system. 
The signal processing and display system was redesigned and fabricated. The 
total system was displayed and demonstrated at the Methane Control Technology 
Seminar in Pittsburgh, Pa., in June 1979. The system is scheduled for under- 
ground testing in July 1979. 



23 



Statu* Rzpoit 
Hine. Hzalth and Sa^zty ZzAzaAch 
{,01 the 
VznJ.od Ending May 31, 1979 



ContAazt No: (In-house project) 
ContAa.ctOK: 



T-itJtZ' Inorganic Grouts for Coal Mine Roof Bolts 



Vfiognam : CMH & s 

Vote. StaAtzd: December 1974 



Rue.aA.ch AA£.a : Ground control 
Scheduled Complexion •' September 1980 
RRC ChoAJtman (MSWA) : E. E. Hollop (DTSC) 



TPO (BOM) : R. E. Simpson (SRC) *RC 

VtWjZCt ObjZCtXVZ '- To develop two practical systems for installing fully- 
grouted mine roof bolts with fast-setting inorganic cements. 

Po&i-ibZz Impact on MSHA : MSHA's acceptance of these new roof bolting systems in lieu 
of existing resin-bolting systems is required for commercial applications. Some 
modifications in the Code of Federal Regulations (30 CFR 75.200-7) may be necessary. 
Rzlatzd PlOjZctA • None . 



HaCJlCjKOUnd '- Bureau research has developed and demonstrated the advantages of 
fast-setting inorganic grouts compared to resin grouts for roof bolting. U.S. 
Patent No. 4096944, A Cartridge for Grouting an Anchor Element in a Hole of a 
Support Structure, has been granted to the Bureau, and licenses to use the patent 
have been granted to several applicants. Two application methods have been 
developed--the cement and water microcapsule cartridge system and the slurry 
injection system. In the first method, gypsum cement is mixed with microcapsules 
of water and then encased in a cartridge for use in the same manner as a resin 
cartridge. In the second method, the cement grout is mixed and injected into the 
drill hole in the mine roof before inserting the steel rebar to complete the 
bolting procedure. 



VKogAZAt and Statu* : a planned full-scale test of the cement and water capsule 
cartridge system in two intersections and a connecting crosscut at the Urling 
No. 1 Mine, Keystone Coal Co., Indiana, Pa., was abandoned after 30 bolts were 
installed. The test was stopped because MSHA personnel ruled that the installed 
bolts were not tight enough to conform to the mine's roof bolting plan. It was 
later determined that the water microcapsules in the cartridges had been frozen 
during transit and the cartridges were damaged. The test will resume at the 
mine with undamaged cartridges in mid-July 1979. 

Another test was conducted at the Sperry mine of U.S. Gypsum Co., Sperry, 
Iowa. Thirty-nine bolts were successfully installed with a bolting machine. 

Additional laboratory tests of the slurry injection system were run with the 
prototype mixing-injection machine. More field tests are planned for July and 
August 1979 at the Cumberland mine, Waynesburg, Pa., and the Oak Grove mine, 
Bessemer, Ala., of U.S. Steel Corporation. 



24 



S£aXuus> Kepo*X 
Mine. He.aiXh and Sa&eXy RcaeoAcA 
ion. the 
Period Ending May 31, 1979 



ContARcX Wo: HO252074 

ConVuicXoK - Barnes and Reinecke, Inc. 
Elk Grove Village, 111. 



JiXls.- Development of Mobile, High -Rise Work Platform Providing Temporary Roof 
Support for High-Roof Areas in Coal Mines 



VKOQlum - CMH & S 

Pate SXanXed '- June 1975 

TPO (BOM): J. H. Stears (SRC) 



Re&eaAcA Kfiza : Ground control 
Sdizdulzd Complexion : February 1980 
KRC ChcuAman (MSHA) : e. E. Hollop (DTSC) 



PKOjZcX Objective. '- To develop, fabricate, and field test a mobile, high rise 
work platform with a built-in temporary roof support to provide safer working 
conditions in high-roof areas. 

PoAA-ibZe. Impact on MSHA: Successful development of this equipment will facili- 
tate compliance with 30 CFR 75.200-13 (Code of Federal Regulations). 

Related PKojecXh ; None . 

BackgAaund : statistics indicate that three to five miners are killed every 
year while resupporting roof-fall areas. Roof heights in these areas may exceed 
20 feet, and present extremely dangerous working conditions. This project is to 
develop a mobile machine capable of providing access to and temporary support 
for such high roofs to enable quick and safe performance of roof rehabilitation 
work. 



?>WQtiZJiti and Si.aX.LU> : All component parts for the machine have been received 
at the contractor's plant. However, the assembly work is delayed, pending a 
contract modification for additional funding and time extension to complete the 
contract work. 

A laboratory test stand for the machine's drill was completed, and a drill- 
ing test with concrete blocks was conducted to produce dust samples for testing 
by MSHA. MSHA's approval of the machine for in-mine testing is still to be 
obtained. 



25 



Statai V.zpoit 
Hint Health and Sa^zty RzizaAck 
fan. thz 
Pzxlod Ending May 31, 1979 



Contract Wo: HO262007 

ContSiactOA. : Mechanical Technology, Inc, 
Latham, N.Y. 



T^tlZ '- Output-Torque Indicator for Bolting Machine 



VflOQiam : CMH & S 

Vote. StaAtzd : July 1975 

TPO (BOM): J. P. Conway (SRC) 



RZAZOJich knjza : Ground control 

Sch.zduZ.zd ComplzZlon : January 1980 

KRC Chauunan (USHA) : e. E. Hollop (DTSC) 



PKOjZCt ObjZCtA.VZ '- To incorporate thrust and torque controls and visual output- 
torque readout systems into existing roof bolting machines to permit delivery of 
consistent torque to mine roof bolts. 

Po66Jblz Impact on MSHA : Successful completion of this project will facilitate 
compliance with 30 CFR 75.200-7, 75-203-1, and 75.205 (Code of Federal Regulations), 

VJZ.tjrf.zd PlOjZe£i> : None . 



aackqKound ■ Correct installation of mechanically anchored roof bolts with 
the required bolt tension is a prerequisite to safe roof support. Since the bolt 
tension is obtained by torquing the roof bolt head, specialized equipment has 
been developed under this contract and the completed contract, HO262006 , to 
insure the accuracy and consistency of installation torques that are applied to 
mine roof bolts by roof bolting machines. Under the completed contract, a 
pneumatic-hydraulic device was developed and tested in a coal mine. The results 
show clearly that the torques on the bolts installed with this control device 
are more consistent than those installed without it. This contract has produced 
a device which involves electrical components to measure the applied torque and 
provide sui table feedback. 

V>LOQh£J>h and Status '• no significant progress has been made since the experi- 
mental permit for in-mine testing of the equipment was received from MSHA in 
September 1978. Although the contractor has been unsuccessful in his effort to 
obtain a suitable test site, the complete system is ready for field test. 



26 



Statut> Report 
Mote Health and Safety Ra>zaAch 
601 the 
VenJ-od Ending May 31, 1979 



T-LtLz : Retreat Mining Support System 

Pnogfuvn : CMH & S 

Pate StaKtzd : June 1976 

TPO (BOM) : R. R. Thompson (SRC) 



Coat^ict No: HO262015 

ConfctactOA. : FMC Corp. 

Engineered Systems Division 
Santa Clara, Calif. 



RueaAch A/ie.g : Ground control 
Scheduled CompteXA.on '■ December 1979 
RRC ChaiAman (MSHA) : e. E. Hollop (dtsc) 



PKOj'ect Obje.cU.vz : To design, build, and field test a mobile temporary roof 
support system for retreat mining of coal pillars. 

Po4&<LbZe Impact on MSHA : Commercial application of this new equipment may 
require some modifications in 30 CFR 75.200-11 and 75.201-2 (Code of Federal 
Regulations) . 

Re.£&ted ?ioje.eXA •• None . 

Backgswund : in retreat mining of coal pillars during typical room-and-pillar 
mining operations , the setting and recovery of roof supports is a time consuming 
and dangerous work. Miners are frequently exposed to the hazard of roof fall 
while setting or recovering cribs and breaker posts. To improve safety and 
efficiency in pillar extraction, this project was undertaken to develop a 
remotely controlled, mobile temporary roof support system to replace or supple- 
ment the conventional roof support practice for pillar recovery. 



VtLOgKZJiit and Statu* : The battery powered mobile roof support (MRS) was tested 
in a pillar mining section of the Inland Steel Mine No. 1, Sesser, 111., for 
three shifts. The MRS was used as a supplemental support to the existing support 
system in the test section. The roof support provided by the hydraulic cylin- 
ders of the MRS was found to be superior to wood props. However, tramming 
ability of the machine was judged marginal. To improve its tramming- ability , 
the tractive effort should be greatly increased by using tires of larger size, 
and the machine should be raised to increase ground clearance. 
Redesign of the equipment is underway. 

A shakedown test of the remotely-controlled breaker prop was conducted, but 
its field test was postponed in favor of a test plan to phase in the machines 
one at a time . 



27 



Statu* Kzpoit 
Hine. Hzalth and Sa^zty Rz&zaKch 
bol tint 
Vzru.od Ending May 31, 1979 



TjXZzj Temporary Face -Support System 

VfWQiam : CMH & S 

Vote. StaAtzd : June 1976 

TPO (BOM) : R. P. Curtin (SRC) 



Contract Wo: HO262058 

ConViactOK - Applied Engineering Resources 
Santa Barbara, Calif. 



H&AZOJich AAjZCH Ground control 

Sdizdutzd Complexion : June 1980 

KRC ChcuAman (MSHA) : e. E. Hollop (DTSC) 



PKOj'zct ObjZCtcvZ '- To build a mobile, temporary roof support system for use at 
the freshly cut face areas to insure safety in both continuous and conventional 
mining. 

?Oi>i>lblZ Impact on MSHA: Successful development of this equipment will facili- 
tate compliance with 30 CFR 75.200-13 (Code of Federal Regulations). 

Re-got zd PlOjZCti, : None . 

oack-QfiOund '- Federal mandatory safety standards for underground coal mines 
stipulate, "In areas where permanent artificial support is required, temporary 
support should be used until such permanent support is installed." The conven- 
tional method of manually setting temporary supports under the unsupported roof 
constitutes a dangerous hazard to coal miners. Therefore, a preliminary design 
of a portable face-support system that does not require exposure of the miner 
to the unsupported roof was developed previously under Bureau contract JO255038. 
The current contract is a follow-up effort to build and field test a prototype 
unit based on the carrier-emplacer concept. 



PfLpg/iJZ6i and Statu* : The temporary face-support system is a carrier-emplacer 
unit capable of remotely placing lightweight post-and-beam sets into the freshly 
cut, unsupported face areas. Fabrication of the machine has been completed by 
the subcontractor, York Industries, York, Pa. Laboratory testing of the post- 
and-beam sets was conducted at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Arrangements are being made with Clinchfield Coal Co., Dante, Va., for field 
demonstration of the complete system. 

A complete drawing package of electrical components of the equipment was 
submitted to the Approval and Certification Center of MSHA for the required 
experimental permit for in-mine demonstration of the system. 



28 



StaXuA RzponX 
Hinz Htatth and Sa^tty ReAiaAch 
ioi the 
Period Ending May 31, 1979 



ContAacX Wo: H0282042 

ZonXAJX.cX.OK : FMC Corp. 

Santa Clara , Calif. 



liXJLz.: Development of Lightweight Hydraulic Supports 



PKoqKOm : CMH & S 

Vote. StaAXzd : September 1978 

TPO (BOM): W. S. Anderson (SRC) 



R&SeaAcA AA&g : Ground control 

Scheduled Complexion : August 1980 

RRC CkaOiman [VSHk] : e. E. Hollop (DTSC) 



PAjOjZcX ObjZCXive. : To design, fabricate, and test a lightweight hydraulic 
support with a high capacity-to-weight ratio for temporary support in underground 
coal mines. 

Pobb-ible. ImpacX On MStfA: Successful development of the lightweight hydraulic 
prop will facilitate compliance with 30 CFR 75.200-13 and 14 75.202 and 75.202-1 
(Code of Federal Regulations). 
PjltaXtd PK0j'e.cXs : None . 



aa.C'lQKOUyid : Hydraulic props are used for temporary support to eliminate the 
hazard of an unsupported mine roof. However, presently available hydraulic props 
are heavy and cumbersome; they often subject the miners to excessive strains in 
handling them and sometimes bring about lost-time accidents. Previously, under 
contract HO272017, a total of 13 designs for lightweight hydraulic, mechanical, 
and hydro-mechanical props were investigated. The current contract is a follow-up 
effort to select and finalize an optimum design, fabricate the prototype units, 
and test them in the laboratory and in a selected underground coal mine. 



PKOQKZJtit and Statu* : The contractor has completed the first phase of this 
effort. The results of the previous contract were analyzed and the designs of 
an aluminum hydraulic prop and an aluminum hydro-mechanical prop that meet the 
design goals (minimum load-bearing capacity, 22 tons; height adjustability, 
72 to 96 inches; and maximum weight, 50 pounds) were finalized. The all- 
hydraulic design was recommended for prototype fabrication and testing in the 
second phase because it was considered more advantageous than the hydro- 
mechanical design. Advantages of the all-hydraulic design were quicker accept- 
ance by miners, greater buckling strength, and lower manufacturing costs. 



StaXa& "RzponX 
Hcne. Hzatth and Sa^eXy ReAzaJich 
£oi the 
VznXod Ending May 31, 1979 



TUtlz: Pillar Destressing in Advance of Mining 



29 



ContAacX No- (In-house project) 
CorXxa. do i: 



Vfwqfum : MNMH & S 

Vote. Sta/Vtzd: July 1975 



Re^eaAcA knzon 



Ground control 



Scheduled Complexion : September 1979 
TPO (BOM) ; w. J. Karwoski (SRC) RRC CnauAman ( MSHA ) ; E. E. Hollop (dtsc) 

VKOJZCX Obje.cXx.ve. ' xo demonstrate advance destressing of rock burst-prone sill 
pillars in the horizontal cut-and-fill mining method for a deep, vein deposit 
to alleviate rock-burst hazards during production mining. 

Po&AJ-ble. ImpacX on MSHA : New sa f ety standards for rock burst control in metal 
and nonmetal underground mines may be established. 

Related ?10Je,cXA : HO262039, Destressing in Advance of Mining. 

oa,C.k.QKOuyid - in some deep lead-zinc-silver mines of northern Idaho, the frequent 
occurrence of rock bursts under high stress has continued to be a major safety 
problem. With the cooperation of Hecla Mining Co., the Bureau has been conduct- 
ing a field project to demonstrate the effectiveness of pillar destressing for 
alleviation of rock-burst hazards in the Star Mine, which is mining ore veins at 
a depth of about 8,000 feet below the surface. A continuing technical and 
manpower support has been provided for this effort under the ongoing contract 
HO262039. 



PKOgiZAA and S£a£.ut> : Ten stress meters were installed in the sill pillar at 
the 7,500-foot level of the Star mine. Analysis of strain data for the vein 
wall continued. 

A manuscript summarizing the work to date was prepared for publication as a 
Bureau of Mines report of investigations, titled "Rock Preconditioning to Prevent 
Rock Burst—Report on a Field Demonstration." 



30 



SXaXai RzponX 
Uinz HzalXh and SafizXy RzAzaAch 
ioi Xhz 
VwLod Ending May 31, 1979 


ConXAacX No: J0188027 

Confia.cX.OA.: Chicago Aerial Survey 
Des Plaines , 111. 


TiXlz: Improving Surface Coal Refuse 

VKoqiam: CMH & S 

Vote. SXaAXzd: September 1978 


Disposal Site Inspections 

RZAZaAch AA£.a: Ground control 
SchtduJLzd Complexion: March 1980 



TPO (BOM) : R. r. Backer (SRC) RRC ChalAman (MSHA) : s. A. Stanin (A0) 

PfiOJZcX Obje.cXA.vz : To implement an aerial photogrammetric monitoring system 
at selected coal-waste disposal sites and to demonstrate the accuracy, practi- 
cality, and economic feasibility of the system. 

Pq&4>-LbZz Impact on MSHA : The results will supplement current inspection pro- 
grams , and the aerial photogrammetric techniques may evolve into an acceptable 
practice for monitoring waste disposal areas. 
RziaXzd PAXJJZCXJ, : None . 



Za.ch.gfw and : Under a previous contract, HO262009, a rapid system for monitoring 
coal refuse embankments using convergent and vertical photography from a conven- 
tional fixed-wing aircraft was developed. The aerial monitoring system permits 
mapping and recording of slope conditions with ease, speed, and reliability. 
However, more field demonstrations are necessary to assure potential users of 
the quality of obtainable information, the practicality of field implementation, 
and the cost benefits. This project is intended to carry out the required 
follow-up efforts. 



PloglZJ>6 a/ld SXaXu£> '• Fifteen coal waste disposal sites in West Virginia and 
Kentucky were selected for this study. The targeting and ground surveying work 
was completed in February 1979. A preliminary photogrammetric flight was made 
in January; however, the snow cover on the ground and bad weather prevented 
satisfactory performance of the work. Two successful photo flights were com- 
pleted on March 12 and April 7, respectively. All 15 sites were photographed in 
both black and white film and color infrared film. The film was developed, 
edited, and analyzed. A visual inspection of the ground, following the inspec- 
tion procedures used by MSHA inspectors , was also performed by the subcontractor 
in January. The photographic data was supplied to the subcontractor for examina- 
tion. Examination of enlarged stereo photographs indicates that the effect of 
sun angle may look like an occurrence of ground movement on the original 
photographs . 



31 



S£oXlu> ReponX 
Uine. HtaJUk and SafreXy ReAzaAch 
ion. the. 
PeAlod Ending May 31, 1979 



ConXAAcX No: (In-house project) 
ConVmcXoK: 



TjXZzj Electrokinetic Consolidation of Coal Sludge 



Phjogrum : CMH & S 

Vote. StaAtzd : October 1977 

TPO ( BOM ) : R. H. Sprute (SRC) 



RZ6Z<Vich kn&a. : Ground control 
Schzdulzd CompteXion : September 1979 
RRC ChouUman ( MSHA ) : s . A . stanin (AO) 



PKOJZCX Obj'e.ctivZ ' To determine the technical and economic feasibility of the 
electrokinetic process for dewatering and consolidating coal sludge through 
full-scale field tests. 

Po&i-ibte. Impact on MSHA: This project may prove the electrokinetic process to 
be a practical means for compliance with 30 CFR 77.216 through 77.216-5 (Code of 
Federal Regulations). 

Re.lattd Pnx>izatl> : Contract H0272005, Develop Safety Practices for Electro- 
kinetic Treatment of Mine Waste (U-S. Department of Army). 

Background : Sludge disposal and the safety of existing sludge impoundments are 
major problems associated with coal preparation. Coal sludge containing fine- 
grained, low-density, suspended particles remains watery and noncohesive indef- 
initely when disposed of behind an earth dam, posing a threat to embankment 
stability and environmental safety. Laboratory tests of coal sludge samples 
collected from ten states indicated that most of them were responsive to dewater- 
ing by application of direct current between electrodes buried in the sludge. 
Using the electrokinetic process, a firm, cohesive cake of about 20 percent 
moisture content can be produced with modest costs in power and time. This 
project is to demonstrate practical applications of the process under a coopera- 
tive agreement with the Clinchfield Coal Co., Dante, Va. 

Pnj}gn£J>6 and StaXui : The cooperator has completed preparation of the test site 
on the bank of an old disposal pond at its Moss No. 3 coal preparation plant. 
Construction of the 200-cubic-yard concrete dewatering cells is in progress under 
a Bureau contract with Cook Construction Co., Va. All other major items of the 
test facility have been procured and shipped to the test site. The test facility 
will be ready for the first series of tests by August 1, 1979. 



32 



S£a£u6 RzponX. 
Uinz HtaLtix and Safety P.ZAQjxAch 

Pzxiod Ending May 31, 1979 



ContAact No: HO272005 

ConViO.cA.01 ■ U.S. Department of the Army 
Corps of Engineers 
Waterways Experimental Station 
Vicksburg, Miss. 



TiXZz.'- Develop Safety Practices for Electrokinetic Treatment of Mine Waste 



Piognam : mnmh & s 

Pate StflAted : January 1976 

TPO ( BOM ) : r. h. Sprute (SRC) 



RZAZOAch AAZa- Ground control 

Schzdulzd Complexion ■■ August 1979 

RRC ChaVunan (MSHA) : S. A. Stanin (AO) 



PfWjZCt ObjZCtcve. '- To identify, evaluate, and develop procedures to minimize or 
eliminate potential safety hazards associated with electrokinetic treatment of 
hydraulic backfills or slime deposits from mines. 

Poi>6ibLe. Impact on MSHA : New safety standards for electrokinetic treatment of 
mine waste may be established. 

Related Pl0j'e,c£&: In-house project, Electrokinetic Consolidation of Coal Sludge , SRC 



Background : Disposal of slow-setting, fine-particle slurries has been a major 
safety problem both in surface impoundment of mill tailings and in underground 
backfilling of mined-out areas. Extensive laboratory studies and some field 
tests have established the effectiveness of electrokinetics in dewatering and 
consolidating hydraulic backfills. However, they have also pointed out the 
necessity to identify and develop preventive measures against potential safety 
hazards such as high hydraulic pressures during the backfilling process, toxic 
and volatile gas emissions, electric shock, accidental detonation of explosives, 
and electrochemical corrosion of metal appurtenances, etc. This project aims 
to establish a comprehensive information base for developing the needed health 
and safety guidelines. 



Plogl£J>& and Statui : The revised draft of the final report has been approved 
by the Bureau. Printing of the final report is underway. The information given 
in the contract report is still to be synthesized and converted into a practical 
user's manual. This work will be done in-house at SRC. 



33 



StaXuA V.eponX 
Hint HzaZXh and Sa^eXy ZeMzaAcK 
ion. ikz 
VznXod Ending May 31, 1979 



ConiAacX No : J0188085 

ConiAO.cX.OK : Booz, Allen, and Hamilton 
Cleveland, Ohio 



T*ct£&: Design of New Railroad Truck Assemblies for Underground Coal Mine Cars 



?KOQ.najm : cmh & s 

VaXz SiaAizd : September 1978 

TPO (BOM): G. Bockosh (PRC) 



Re^ea-tcA AAza : Industrial hazards 
Schzdaizd Complexion : November 1979 
RRC ChcuAmcm (MSHA) : m. McGuire (DTSC) 



VKOJZCX Obje.cXi.vz : to identify a retrofit package that will adapt an automatic 
braking system to underground coal mine cars. 

PoAi-ibZe. Impact on MSHA : This work may result in a reconsideration of MSHA 
regulations requiring automatic brakes on underground coal mine cars. 

RzlaXzd PKOJZcX*: None . 

oO-CfigKOU/id : Because of the extreme variability between various types of coal 
mine cars, limited clearances, and car design characteristics, it has been 
demonstrated that the concept of an add-on brake package may not be feasible 
on an industry-wide basis. This study aims to identify a retrofittable package 
which might replace the entire truck assembly, as well as couplers, to include 
an effective braking system. Since this would involve a major change in the 
mine cars, a cost-benefit study was included. 



rft-OQtiejtit and SiaJUA : The accident analysis and projection of costs to imple- 
ment automatic brakes show that implementation of an effective brake retrofit 
program will exceed the corresponding cost savings benefits by a factor of 
about 100. Data indicates that the number of rail-haulage cars is decreasing 
and that the number of rail car accidents should decrease accordingly; hence, 
the need for automatic brakes decreases. Even if brakes were added, a new truck 
design for the rail cars incorporating an effective brake mechanism will probably 
not satisfy all requirements since approximately 45 percent of the mine cars are 
four-wheeled units that cannot be retrofitted with trucks in a practical manner. 



34 



Status, Rzpoit 
Mute Hzalth and Safety RtuzaAch 
ion. thz 
Vexiod Ending May 31, 1979 



ContARct Wo: JO199005 

ContAactoK : Bitinninous Coal Research, Inc. 
Monroe vi 1 le , Pa. 



TiZZz: Advancement of Cab and Canopy Design and Use in Coal Mines 



VnogKam : CMH & s 

Pate StaAtzd : February 1979 

TPO (BOM): j. Bogus (PRC) 



Re^eflAcA AAZCL : Industrial hazards 
Schz.dul.td Complexion : February 1981 
RRC ChaOunan (MSHA) : M. McGuire (DTSC) 



?K0JZCt Obje.ctA.vz : to collect canopy design information for use in establish- 
ing a library of canopy designs for distribution to operators. 

?0i>4>iblz Impact on MSHA : canopy designs for many different seam heights will 
be available to any coal operator. This will help to bring industry up to a 
uniform level of operator protection. 
Related P-*o/ec& : H0387026, H0387027, and H0188014. 

BaCJlQlOund : i n an attempt to provide roof- and rib-fall protection for all 
underground machine operations, a library will be developed that will be used 
to supply and inform coal operators of currently available canopy designs. 
Consortiums will be established to exchange ideas on canopy designs and define 
needs for future canopy research. 



PlogiZA* and Statu* ; Currently, the library consists of 130 designs and con- 
tains information files on each canopy design. Mining companies will be notified 
of the existence of these designs through the publishing of single page sum- 
maries. If a mine operator can determine an interest in a particular design, 
he can then request more detailed information from the library. Names of indi- 
viduals to act as members of a consortium which will periodically meet to 
discuss and pool their ideas and experiences on similar canopy problems are 
being collected. 



35 



Statu* Rzpoit 
Hinz Hzalth and Safety RzizaAch 
ion. thz 
PeM.od Ending May 31, 1979 



ZontKO.Ct Wo: H0262022 



ContAactoA.: 



M. B. Associates 
San Ramon, Calif. 



JiXJJL' Improved Visibility System for Large-Haulage Vehicles 



Pfwgnam : cm. & s 

Vatz StaAtzd : June 1976 

TPQ (BOM): G. Johnson (TCRC) 



RUe.OA.ch AA&a: Industrial hazards 

Schzdalzd Complexion : May 1980 

RRC CkcuAman ( MSHA ) : m. McGuire (DTSC) 



PfLOj'zct Obje.CtA.vz : to improve driver's visibility in large-haulage trucks 
(100+ ton) in open pit and surface mines. 

Po66JbZz Impact on MSHA : MSHA cou i a consider promulgation of regulations 
requiring installation of the system (or component parts) on all large-haulage 
vehicles as a result of this project. 
Rllatzd PlOjZCt& : None . 



Background : Large -haulage trucks have a severe problem with restricted driver 
visibility. Blind areas in front, sides, and rear of the truck are extensive 
and result in a very hazardous situation. 

The system developed consists of four component parts: (1) a large left- 
side rear-view mirror of flat glass with a small convex mirror attached, (2) 
a right-side rear-view mirror of convex glass, (3) a "blind area" viewer con- 
sisting of a fresnel lens for forward and right-side viewing, and (4) a closed 
circuit television (CCTV) monitor for rear viewing. About 85 percent of the 
forward and right-side blind areas are eliminated, as is about 95 percent of the 
rear blind area, with the installation of this system. 



PtiogKZAi and Statui : Prototype systems are being installed on large-haulage 
trucks in three mines located in various environments (Minnesota, Wyoming, and 
Arizona). These systems will be tested for approximately one year to determine 
their effectiveness, ruggedness , reliability, driver acceptance, maintenance 
requirements, and related factors. The system can be installed on existing 
trucks at a cost of $1,500 for the mirrors and $3,500 for the CCTV monitor system. 



36 



Statu6 Rzponjt 
Hinz HzaLth and Safety Rza zaA.cn 
fan. thz 
Period Ending May 31. 1979 



ConiAocX No : HO357107 

ConiAO.cX.OKt Jeffrey Mining Machinery 
Division 
Dresser Industries, Inc. 
Columbus , Ohio 



TitZz: Innovative Design of Explosion-Proof Electrical Enclosures 



Vnognjun : cmh & s 

Pate StaAtzd : June 1975 

TPO ( BOM ) : R. King (PRC) 



RZAeaAch AAza: Industrial hazards 

Scheduled Complexion ; June 1979 

RRC CnaiAman ( MSHA ) : r. Reynolds (PTSC) 



PkojzcX. Obje.cXA.vz : To investigate and demonstrate novel concepts pertaining to 
explosion-proof enclosures that are suitable for use in permissible equipment. 

Po66JblZ Impact on MSKA: Results of this project will help to interpret current 
MSHA regulations on explosion-proof enclosures and should expand the possibili- 
ties for meeting these regulations with innovative designs. 
Rzlatzd ?XOjZcXJ> : H0377052 and HO387009. 

BadzgAcund : Explosion-proof electrical enclosures present certain problems 
with regard to maintaining permissibility during coal mine operations. This 
project investigates the use of pressure vents to allow an increase in the 
flange gap, permit the use of lighter weight enclosures, and make access to the 
enclosure easier. The second part of the project involved the packing used in 
stuffing boxes, where cables and other conductors enter the enclosure. 



VKogh&Ah and S£atut> •' Testing of different pressure vent sizes and enclosures 
has been completed. Tests varying the flange gap and vent area-to-volume ratio 
were consistent, and the results all agree favorably. From these test results, 
guidelines on the maximum allowable flange gap as a function of vent area-to- 
volume ratio and the number of screens used are being developed. The tests on 
the cable entry hardware used in the stuffing boxes was deleted due to the 
unavailability of an MSHA experimental permit or approval within 15 months from 
the initial request. The hardware and test plan will be described in the final 
report. 



37 



StaXa6 Hzpont 
Hint HtaJUk and Sa^tZy RoJstaAch. 
bo*, tht 
PejUod Ending May 31, 1979 


ConVuict No: H0188014 

ContAO.cX.OK: Kogen Industries, Inc. 
Carrolltown, Pa. 


TiJUUi' Demonstration and Extension of Existing Canopy Technology to Lower 
Coal Seams 

?HO%KOm: CMH & S 7JU>tOfick AAta: Industrial hazards 

Date. StaAttd: December 1977 Sditdultd Completion: December 1978 

TPO (BOM) ; j. Bogus (PRC) RRC Chairman (MSHA) : M. McGuire (DTSC) 



Pxojtct 0bje.ct4.vt : To develop canopies for mining equipment used at lower 
coal seam heights. 

Poiiibtt Impact on MSHA : This will be another step in demonstrating the feasi- 
bility of equipment canopies in lower coal seams. 

Pzlattd PftjQJtVti : HO387026, H0387027 , and JO199005. 



BacJlQAaund : The use of canopies in lower coal seams has been the subject of 
much debate, court cases, and other controversy over the last few years. This 
project looks at canopies for a roof bolter and shuttle car for a 48-inch coal 
seam. The canopies will be certified in accordance with 30 CFR 75.1710-1 (Code 
of Federal Regulations). The designs include a simplified split canopy design 
that provides better visibility in low seams, a rotating compartment seat for 
better ingress and egress, and a single-oval joystick tram control. 



Vloqnju,^ and Status •' The initial demonstration of the National Mine Service 
Torkar shuttle car and Galis 300 roof bolter produced some very favorable results 
with a high level of operator acceptance. The demonstration was conducted in 
Pennsylvania, but the shuttle car could not finish the full 45 shifts planned 
for the demonstration because of damage to the canopy when the car ran over a 
prop. Operator suggestions were solicited for improvement, and modifications 
were made so that the demonstration can continue. 



38 



Statu* V.zpoit 
Mote HzaJLth and Safizty RtAzaAch 
ioK tkz 
Vexiod Ending May 31, 1979 



ContAAct Wo: JO295017 

ContAjLCtoA. '- Woodward Associates, Inc. 
San Diego, Calif. 



TaXZz. ' In-Mine Long-Term Testing of Improved Truck Ladders 



?KOQfUXjn : CMH & S 

Vote. StaAtzd : April 1979 

TPO (BOM) : D. Johnson (TCRC) 



Rue.aA.ch AAza : Industrial hazards 
Schzdutzd Complexion : August 1980 
RRC CWalAman ( MSHA ) : m. McGuire (DTSC) 



PAOjZCt Obje.ctA.vZ '- To evaluate and demonstrate improved ladder designs, 
especially for large-haulage vehicles. 

Po&biblt Impact on MSHA: MSHA could consider promulgation of regulations which 
would define the requirements of ladders for large-haulage trucks as a result of 
these tests. 
Related PAOj'e.ctl> : HO282001 (previous contract). 

BadzgAound : MSHA identified slipping and falling as the greatest cause of 
disabling injuries associated with trucks in metal and nonmetal surface mines. 
The Bureau study found that the causes were related to ladder design, lack of 
ladder maintenance, and personnel carrying items such as lunch boxes to and from 
the truck cab. It was interesting to note that the accident rate does not appear 
to be influenced significantly by geographical location, weather conditions, 
or time of year. 



VAogASJtti and StatuA •' Prototype ladders are being built for long-term ingress - 
egress system testing in seven operational surface mines. The mines will provide 
a representative sample of truck manufacturers, truck sizes, and mining environ- 
mental extremes. Long-term testing will start in 1979. Testing will last for 
approximately 12 months. 



39 



Statu* Tlzpoit 
Hlne. He.aJUk and Sa^tty RaeaAck 
£oa the 
Pejiiod Ending May 31, 1979 



ContAact Wo: JO166095 

ContAOLCtoA : FMC Corp. 

Santa Clara, Calif. 



TJJULs.' Factory Integration of Illumination Systems Into Mining Machinery 



PAOgKOm : CMH & S 

Vote SttXAte.d : June 1976 

TPO (BOM): John G. Kovac (PRC) 



RueaAch AJua : Industrial hazards 
Scheduled Compiztion •• September 1979 
RRC ChcuAman (MSf/A) : r. Reynolds (PTSC) 



PAOjtct Objectcve. : To modify a currently produced roof drill and face drill to 
accept a permissible illumination system in such a way as to be protected from 
external damage and to evaluate the modified machines. 

Po&iible Impact on MSHA: These field evaluations assist in the implementation 
of the mandatory standards for underground coal mine illumination by providing 
a means by which the mining industry can obtain permissible mining equipment 
complete with an integral, approved illuminatidn system. 

Related Project* : HO366066, HO377046, and HO387007. 



BaC'igAaund : Several permissible machine -mounted illumination systems have been 
developed and evaluated in operating coal mines. These field evaluations have 
shown that the major cause of illumination system downtime is physical damage 
caused by machine collisions with coal surfaces or other machines. The required 
mechanical protection to insure good system reliability can best be incorporated 
into future mining machinery during early design. 



PnogAeJ>& and Statu* : A roof drill has been redesigned for a built-in lighting 
system and fabricated. The drill, with its integral lighting system, has been 
shipped to the mine where it is being evaluated and modified as necessary. 
A face drill has been redesigned for a built-in lighting system and fabricated. 
A customer for the drill was not found until very recently. Evaluation will 
take at least 3 months. 



40 



StaXuA Hepoit 
Mine Heatth and Sa^tty RcaeaAcA 
ioi the 
VejLiod Ending May 31, 1979 



CorvtnacX. Mo: HO282028 



ConXXACtOK: 



Southwest Research Institute 
San Antonio, Tex. 



T-itZz: Haul-Road Berm, Guardrail, and Sign Design Study and Demonstration 



P/wgruun : CMH & S 

Vote. Started: September 1978 



Rg> touch Anza : Industrial hazards- 
haulage and materials handling 
ScheduZed ComplzJA-on : September 1980 



T?0 (BOM) 



Lester J. Crow (SRC) 



RRC CkcuAman (HSHA) : 



M. McGuire (DTSC) 



VKOjecX Obje.cti.ve. : To determine the kind, size, and construction of berms and 
guardrails for mine haul roads to control runoff or runaway of any vehicle and 
develop an effective road sign guideline for mine haul roads. 

?06 6 4.0 Lt impa.cX on MSHA : Promulgation of regulations for effective mine haul- 
road berm and guardrail construction and road signs may result from this research. 

Related PKOj'ectA : J0255037, Surface Mine Haulage Road Design Study 



BadigfLOund : Previous research dealt with passenger cars encountering berms at 
highway speeds. This research has shown that interaction of vehicle dynamics 
and berm characteristics determine whether a vehicle will crash into a berm, 
deflect from it, or mount and climb over it. 

A significant safety problem of accidental runoff by large-haulage trucks 
over the outs lope has occurred. Since vehicle dynamics and berm characteristics 
data exist only for passenger cars, constraint structures and large-vehicle 
characteristics data need to be developed for haul-road vehicles of all sizes. 



PtiogA£J>& and StatUA : i n the interest of safety, compliance with the law, and 
overall economics, a realistic approach to the design of berms and guardrails 
(or a combination of both) is being made, and guidelines for effective signing 
are being developed. The first phase of the contract, which included literature, 
vehicle, and field study, is complete. Geometric and computer simulation test- 
ing to define vehicle-berm interaction is now in progress as part of the second 
phase. Relationships determined in model testing will be validated through 
full-scale testing in the third phase. 

The signs and signing practices developed and observed in the first phase 
led to recommendations. A modification of the original contract cost ($80,000) 
will fund demonstrations to validate the signing recommendations in the second 
phase. 



41 



APPENDIX. --ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS 
AIME - -American Institute of Mining Engineers 
AO — Administrative Office 
BOM - -Bureau of Mines 
BCR - -Bituminous Coal Research 
CIM — Canadian Institute of Mines 
CMH & S --Coal Mine Health and Safety 
DRC - -Denver Research Center 
DISC --Denver Technical Support Center 
GAP - -Government Accounting Office 

MESA --Mine Enforcement Safety Administration (MESA is now MSHA) 
MNMH & S --Metal/Nonmetal Health and Safety 
MSHA --Mine Safety and Health Administration 
NBS- -National Bureau of Standards 
NCB - -National Coal Board 

NIOSH - -National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health 
NTIS^- -National Technical Information Service 
PRC-- Pitts burgh Research Center 
PTSC--Pittsburgh Technical Support Center 
RRC- -Research Review Committee 
SRC --Spokane Research Center 
TCRC — Twin Cities Research Center 
TPO- -Technical Project Officer 
TL — Thermoluminescence 
WLM- -Working Level Month 
WO- -Washington Office 



INT.-BU.OF MINES, PGH., PA. 24286 



v.U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1979-603-002/124 



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